Edition 4 8 March, 2018

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Chess Champions

(L – R) George Clifford, Oliver Clifford and Theo Yevdokimov with their awards from the

Toowoomba District Primary Schools’ Individual Chess Championships. George Clifford

was awarded the ‘Best Grade 4 Player’ award, Theo Yevdokimov was awarded third place

overall, a remarkable achievement for a boy in Year 4 and Oliver Clifford was awarded first

place overall. Oliver’s achievement is remarkable as this was his third year in a row that he

has claimed the top spot. Congratulations boys!

From the Head of Junior School Dear Parents At times, Junior School parents may wonder what occurs when our boys move to the Senior School. In simple terms, the size of the Senior School means there are more opportunities available to the boys. The other reality is that young boys grow to become young men, ready for life beyond school. Junior School staff watch this unfold with a great deal of pride, both as the bigger picture of our School occurs and as some individual stories unfold. Last year, the Senior Prefect was Austin Kelly, who was also School Captain of the Junior School in 2012. The Dux of Year 12 was Mark McKenzie, who was also Dux of the Junior School. This year, several ex-Junior School boys hold leadership positions in Year 12. This includes:

Ted Vary, Senior Prefect (House Vice Captain in the Junior School)

Adrian Irwin, Senior Dayboy Prefect (Dux of the Junior School)

Matthew Price, Senior Boarder Prefect (boarder in the Junior School)

In addition, three other boys are Prefects (Watson Blaikie, Max Manassero and Harry Schatz), four boys are House Captains (Billy Perrignon, Adrian Irwin, Watson Blaikie and Matthew Price) and four boys are House Vice Captains (Max Manassero, Charlie Boot, Matthew Hansen and Mitchell Leeson). We are very proud of these boys’ achievements and wish them all the best for a successful year.

Ted Vary, Senior Prefect Adrian Irwin, Senior

Dayboy Prefect Matthew Price, Senior

Boarder Prefect Year 6 Quiz Evening with Fairholme and Glennie The Year 6 boys participated in a Quiz Evening with girls from Fairholme and Glennie on Thursday 1 March. The boys and girls worked together in mixed groups, answering a range of questions on various topics. The evening concluded with a barbeque. This was both an academic and social occasion, one of many such opportunities that occur from Prep to Year 6 during the year.

Alex Chicalas, designated writer at the

recent Quiz evening. L – R George Smolenksi and Joel Ewing

preparing for the next question.

Year 4 Technology Program with Fairholme College The Year 4 boys are involved in a combined technology program with Year 4 girls from Fairholme College. The boys are using $12 000 worth of Mindstorm kits, which are essentially Lego robotics controlled by mini computers. On Friday 2 March, our Year 4 classes engaged in a Skype session with the Fairholme girls, using the large touch screen in our Makerspace. Later in the term the Fairholme girls will visit our Makerspace and continue working with our boys on this long-term project.

Lego Mindstorm kits are programmable robotic construction sets that allow the

students to build, program and command their own Lego robots.

Year 4 gathering for their Mindstorm Skype session with the Year 4 Fairholme girls.

National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy will occur across Australia in May. All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will sit formal assessments for Language Conventions, Writing, Reading and Numeracy. Reports on students’ achievement will be sent to schools and parents later in the year. The test dates are 15, 16 and 17 May. The boys are taught exceptionally well by experienced teachers, who cover core curriculum content in these areas. The basic premise around preparation for any tests is ensuring students are taught well and, in terms of NAPLAN, cover National Curriculum content that the tests are based upon. In addition, the boys will cover past papers and sample questions in class leading up to these assessments to ensure they are well prepared.

Staff appointment Our new Strings Tutor, Miss Laura Chegwidden commenced work at our School last week. Miss Chegwidden has a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in ‘cello and composition from the University of Newcastle, as well as qualifications from the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music in New South Wales. Miss Chegwidden works with all Year 2 boys as part of their strings program, and she also conducts Junior School and Senior School string ensembles and teaches individual students. GPS Swimming Championship Our GPS Swimming Team travelled to Brisbane last Friday to compete at the Junior GPS Swimming Championships (Years 5 to 7). The boys had the opportunity to swim at Brisbane Aquatic Centre (Chandler), the same pool in which Commonwealth and Olympic Games athletes swim. Our swimming team competed well and the boys should feel proud of their efforts.

Zander Gentry, Captain of Swimming and Ryan Grimes, with other GPS Schools’ representatives.

Our 2018 GPS Swimming Team.

I commend Mr Darren Stewart (Head Junior Coach), Mrs Jess Galbraith (Team Manager), Mr David Anderson (Sportsmaster) and Miss Tamara Quinn (Swim Coach) for their fine work with the boys. Regards Scott Campbell Head of Junior School

From the Deputy Head of Junior School

Schools Clean Up Australia Day Students from the Junior School took part in the Schools’ Clean Up Australia Day on Monday. The areas allocated to the Junior School were the streets surrounding the school site and the school grounds. The boys were fully supervised during the experience and did this in their Mates groups. Several bags of litter were collected including paper, plastic, glass and dirty socks! Lost Property There are a lot of items in the Lost Property box. It is important to ensure that your son has all his property labelled. The location of the Lost Property box is near the side entrance to the Junior School staff room. We’re for the gorilla. Are you? Recycle your old mobile phone to help gorillas in the wild. Please drop off your old mobile phone at the front office. All the money raised from recycling your old phone supports vital gorilla conservation projects in Africa through the Jane Goodall institute. For further information please refer to: Taronga.org.au/callingonyou School Banking School Banking (Commonwealth Dollarmite Accounts) continues to operate with Dollarmite account deposits being dropped off at the office each Tuesday morning in the collection box. For those students who don’t yet have a school banking account with the Commonwealth Bank, parents are asked that they look online via the CBA website for this information and open accounts online accordingly. The program also offers financial benefits for our school. These include $5 for every account opened. Students also receive various rewards for deposit targets reached. Please encourage you son to open a Dollarmite account and make regular deposits. Nude Food Day Just a reminder that Nude Food Day occurs each Tuesday in the Junior School. The boys are encouraged to bring to school food that is not prepacked for morning tea and lunch.

Mike Sharpe Deputy Head of Junior School

Sports News Swimming On Wednesday 28 February, 10 boys from the Junior School competed at the Darling Downs Primary School Swimming Carnival at the Gatton Aquatic Centre. A number of boys achieved personal bests which was great to see. Zander Gentry, Juert Eerkens, Bailey Harm, Zach Freer and Cadel Hardgrave were selected in the Darling Downs Primary School swimming team for 2018. Congratulations boys and good luck at the State Championships in Brisbane later in the month. On Friday 2 March, the Junior School Swimming Team competed at the Under 10 – Under 12 GPS Swimming Carnival. Our swimmers performed very well and represented the School admirably. The boys certainly enjoyed the bus trip and the chance to swim against the other GPS Schools. Over the page are the individual placegetters from the meet.

10 Years Bailey Harm – 3rd 100m Freestyle (Div 1), 3rd 50m Breaststroke (Div 1), 3rd 50m Butterfly (Div 1), 2nd 50m Backstroke (Div 1) and 1st 50m Freestyle (Div 1). Zach Freer – 3rd 50 m Freestyle (Div 2) and 3rd 50m Butterfly (Div 2). Ethan Greenhalgh – 3rd 50m Breaststroke (Div 2). 12 Years Juert Eerkens – 3rd 50m Butterfly (Div 1), 2nd 100m Freestyle (Div 2), 1st 50m Backstroke (Div 1). Zander Gentry – 2nd 50m Backstroke (Div 3). Our 12 Years Medley Relay team (Noah Taylor, Cooper Harm, Juert Eerkens and Charlie Kibble) won the final event of the meet and it was a great way for the boys to finish. Congratulations to the Junior Team for finishing in 7th place. Thank you to the parents who travelled down to support the boys on this special occasion. Finally, thank you to Mrs Jess Galbraith, Mr Darren Stewart and Miss Tamara Quinn who have worked with the boys and supported them throughout the swimming season. The support and guidance shown to the boys by these staff is appreciated by the boys and the School.

Juert Eerkens 50m backstroke results on the score board.

Mark Armstrong and Isaac Crozier after their relay.

Toowoomba Sport Trials A number of sports have begun their Toowoomba trials. Boys and their parents will be emailed paperwork that needs to be returned to me so I can forward it to the convenors. Without this paperwork, boys will not be allowed to trial. With sporting trials, boys need to meet the criteria to be eligible to attend. Term 2 Sport Trials During our sport time in Week 10, all boys in the Junior School will have Term 2 sport trials. House Cross Country On Tuesday 20 March, we will have our House Cross Country at Queen’s Park. A letter will go home soon with information and parents are encouraged to come and support the boys. All boys are doing some preparation in their PE lessons but we encourage the boys in Years 4 – 6 to do some extra running where they can in the week.

Peak 2 Park Sunday 4 March saw a number of the Toowoomba Grammar Junior School boys pounding the streets of Toowoomba, in the Peak 2 Park, raising money for local charities. The boys cheered on the 10km runners and then moved onto the start of the 4km. The sea of gold shirts at the start line was a wonderful sight and the boys ran incredibly well thanks to the support of school staff and parents running alongside them. The boys were all smiles at the finish line knowing they had supported Hear and Say, Cystic Fibrosis (Queensland) and Toowoomba Clubhouse. Thanks to Mrs Shelley Clews, Mrs Amelia Grills, Mrs Jess Galbraith and Miss Ellie McLiesh for supporting the boys, challenging them and making the event such a fun morning. This was the first time we entered as the Junior School and we are looking forward to running again in 2019.

Some of our Junior School boys prior to the fun run.

Term 2 Sport Requirements Boys playing tennis in 2018 will need the following:

White TGS tennis shirt

Blue TGS tennis shorts

TGS sport socks

Tennis racket

Water bottle (clearly named)

Boys playing rugby in 2018 will need the following:

TGS jersey, TGS blue shorts, rugby socks

A training jersey/TGS shirt (TGS jersey).

Mouthguard (compulsory)

Headgear (very strongly recommended)

Water bottle (clearly named)

U / 6, U / 7 and U / 8 wear runners or moulded stud boots

U / 9 and U / 10 wear moulded stud boots

U / 11 and U / 12 wear moulded or steel tags (but not more than 19mm)

Boys playing football in 2018 will need the following:

Blue football shorts (available from the uniform shop) (Year 5 – Year 6)

Yellow football socks (available from the uniform shop) (Prep – Year 6)

Prep – Year 3 wear runners

Year 4 – Year 6 wear moulded stud boots

Shin pads (compulsory)

Water bottle (clearly named)

Mouthguard (strongly recommended) David Anderson Sportsmaster

Junior School Sports Results Term 1, Week 6B

GPS Cricket (3 March 2018) Inter-school Tennis (2 March 2018)

5A V BBC Score: BBC (1/111) defeated TGS (13/15) Player of the Day: Douglas Smith Nathan Stains (Coach)

Senior A TGS 1 V TACAPS 2 Score: 22 – 7 (win) Player of the match: Dallas Baker Michelle Worthington (Coach)

Senior A TGS 2 V TACAPS 3 Score: 14-13 (win) Player of the match: Jonathon Moffitt Michelle Worthington (Coach)

6A V BBC Score: BBC (4/144) defeated TGS (77) Player of the Day: Xavier Lindemann David Anderson (Coach)

Senior B TGS 1 V Toowoomba East 1 Score: 14-10 (loss) Player of the match: Dihan Yapa Amy Casey (Coach)

6B V BBC Score: BBC (5/144) defeated TGS (82) Player of the Day: Patrick Nolan Ben Woolacott (Coach)

Senior B TGS 2 V Fairholme 1 Score: 15-9 (win) Player of the match: Marcus Seckler Amy Casey (Coach)

Senior B1 TGS V COC Score: 3-3 (draw) Player of the match: Samuel Lawrence Amy Casey (Coach)

Junior A TGS V TACAPS Score: 6-1 (loss) Player of the match: Will Dwan Jamie Lee(Coach)

Inter-School AFL (2 March 2018) TGS V St Mary’s Score: 37-9 (win) Player of the match: Brodie Harrison Rob Jeffries & George Brown (Coaches)

Junior B1 TGS V Toowoomba East 2 Score: 3-3 (draw) Player of the match: Alec Gordon Jamie Lee (Coach)

Junior B2 V Toowoomba East 1 Score: 6-0 (win) Player of the match: Phineas Bierhoff Jamie Lee (Coach)

Inter School Softball (2 March 2018)

TGS Senior B V St Mary’s Score: 5 -3 (win) Man of the Match: Hugh Campbell Mary Lou Fraser & Jan Heffernan (Coaches)

Junior School Supporters’ Group

Parents and Friends’ Association and Junior School Supporters’ Group meeting dates: Term 1 6.00pm Monday 12 March Week 8B Junior School Supporters' Group Meeting, J1 Bliss Bierhoff President, Junior School Supporters' Group

From Head of Teaching and Learning

Learning Support in the Early Years Being a teacher in the Early Years (Prep to Year 3) is very exciting because it is a time when the foundations of life-long learning are being established and the boys are soaking up knowledge and skills like sponges! As part of my role, I work collaboratively with class teachers to support the boys develop essential reading and writing skills. Together, we observe the boys and gather information about their reading and writing progress. As a result of our collaboration, some boys work with me, in small groups, to target specific areas of need. The aim of the support is to monitor the boys’ progress closely and develop effective strategies to support their development of basic literacy skills.

Harry Constable and Nate Gill engaging in activities to develop their reading skills with Mrs Heffernan

Jan Heffernan Head of Teaching and Learning

International Read to Me Day

Monday 19 March is International Read to Me Day – a day started by local literacy enthusiast and author, Emma Mactaggart and supported for the first time this year by Toowoomba Grammar School Junior School. As President of the Darling Downs Local Council of ALEA (Australian Literacy Educators Association) and as a member of staff here, I am thrilled we are taking part in this special day to highlight the importance of reading, reading aloud to someone and being read to by someone. This is an important aspect of a child learning to read, of a parent’s time bonding with their child and of the child’s learning experiences at school. “Literacy is a gateway skill for us all. If you can’t read you get left behind in so many ways. This has a major impact on your opportunities in life. Reading and writing create social connection and this creates opportunity for all; this is key to Australia’s future success. We can all help children with their reading and I want to encourage children to ask you to help through dedicating a special day to this all round the world.” (Emma Mactaggart) I encourage all parents to make a special point of reading with their child on March 19 and sharing a photo (if you wish) with the school or with Emma via her website https://www.readtomeday.com/new-index/. Whilst this is only one day to bring the importance of reading to and with our children to the fore, let’s aim to do it every day. Jo Jones President ALEA Darling Downs Local Council

Music News Ensemble Leaders Last year we introduced a new student leadership position – Captain of Music. In addition to our Captain of Music, we have student leadership positions for each of our ensembles. Congratulations to the following boys who have been selected as Ensemble Leaders for 2018. Badges for these positions were presented today at assembly.

Captain of Music Sam Lawrence Concert Band Josh Zahra Tribe Jackson Smiddy Voiceworks Sam Lawrence Percussion Ensemble Oliver Clifford Jazz Band Henry Paton Chamber Winds Harry Lester Strings Max Grills

Musicians’ Concert This week we held our first Musicians’ Concert of the year. Musicians’ Concerts provide boys with the opportunity to perform in front of a supportive audience. Boys who receive instrumental or singing tuition are encouraged to speak to their tutor and nominate for a Musicians’ Concert throughout the year. In addition to performing at Musicians’ Concerts, we are always looking for musicians to perform each week at assembly.

Congratulations to the following boys for their performances today:

Nethul Manamperi (4B) Piano Solo

Alby Galbraith (3H) Piano Solo

Singuan Xue (4C) Piano Solo

Jackson Smiddy (6C) Flute Solo

Emmett Lourigan (2W) Piano Solo

Harry Lester (6W) Clarinet Solo

Sam Lawrence (6W) Flute Solo

Hammond Briggs (5L) Alto Saxophone Solo

Mitchell Wilkes (4C) Piano Solo

Max Williamson (6W) Trumpet Solo

Tristahn Hearn (5L) Alto Saxophone Solo

Ensemble Rehearsals – Outdoor Education Week All ensemble rehearsals will continue as normal during Outdoor Education Week (12-16 March). As always, please contact the conductor of the ensemble if you have any questions regarding ensemble rehearsals. Please note that ensembles are not considered clubs and therefore rehearse every week of the school year unless prior notice has been given. This includes the first and last week of each term.

Kellie Dixon and Jayne Davidson Music Teachers

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Assembly Awards Weeks 6A and 7B

REACH certificate recipients William Jenkins 1M Alex Chicalas 6C

Dominic Alexander 1E Josh Zahra 6J

Patrick Nolan 6W Hamish Seng 6J Liam Haegel PG Zac Brown 4C

Prep G Louis Mackintosh-Bailey

Benjamin Russell Hamish Cody

Aarav Kansagara

1E Tom Oliphant Jaxson Parker

Cooper Chappel Isaac Meacham

1M Connor Gilmore Joseph Ramia Austin Brooker

Max Lynam Hiresh Wanasinghe

2G Willem Bierhoff

Joseph Sedl Zac Tucker

Noah Brannelly Samuel Head

Austin Windsor

2W Harry Johansen

Isaac Russell Farai Bvumbura

Will Purcell Xinran Liang

3H Jock Duggan

Beau Hamilton Lachlan Hyslop

Hugo Lloyd Jay Pradeep

4B Harrison Brown Ben Constable

Bryce Lindemann Will Robson

Ashton Reedy Liam Sanson Oliver Shelton

Michael Vicary Rojas

4C Hunter French Pierce Hadfield

Jake James Charlie Payne George Paton

Isaac Whitcombe Louis Whittaker

5L Hammond Briggs Darcy Templeman Charles Lachmund

Riley Toohill

5S MacKenzie Buckley

William Dwan Timothy Hillman

Lewis Bird Will Ivory

Ishaan Kharia

6C Max Grills

Brendon Vicary Rojas Alex Chicalas Frankie Loane

6J Joel Ewing

Angus Thompson Harry Apel

Declan Goldman Hamish Seng

6W

Thomas Betts-Jackson Hamish Johnson

Dihan Yapa Damon Bronkhurst Lachlan Hawkins

Henry Paton

Mrs Davidson Jackson Smiddy 6C

Joshua Zahra 6J Harry Lester 6W Jett Heffernan 5L Juert Eerkens 6C

Jackson Smiddy 6C Henry Paton 6W

House Points

Boyce 31 Groom 30 Taylor 25

Mackintosh 20 Stephens 16 =

Junior School Two Weeks Ahead Week 8B

Monday 12 March Outdoor Education Week (Year 5 travel to Tallebudgera 12 - 16 March)

Junior School Supporters' Group Meeting, J1, 6.00pm - 7.00pm

Tuesday 13 March Outdoor Education Week (Year 5 Tallebudgera)

Wednesday 14 March Outdoor Education Week (Year 5 Tallebudgera)

Outdoor Education Week (Year 3 / 4 travel to Noosa North Shore Retreat 14 - 16 March)

IPSHA Chess Tournament. Venue: Concordia. 4.00pm - 6.00pm

Thursday 15 March Outdoor Education Week (Year 5 Tallebudgera)

Outdoor Education Week (Year 3 / 4 Noosa North Shore Retreat)

No Assembly

Friday 16 March Outdoor Education Week (Year 5 return from Tallebudgera)

Outdoor Education Week (Year 3/4 return from Noosa North Shore Retreat)

Prep and Year 1 Picnic Day at Peacehaven Park, Highfields with Fairholme Prep and Kindy. Depart school 8.40am and arrive back at school 11.30am

Saturday 17 March GPS Cricket vs Brisbane Grammar. Year 5 home and Year 6 away

Sunday 18 March 2018 Queensland Open Chess Championships (day and evening). Junior School Hall

Week 9A

Monday 19 March Parent / Teacher Interviews (Weeks 9 and 10)

International Read to Me! Day

Tuesday 20 March House Uniform

House Cross Country Championships (P-12), Queen's Park. Times TBA

Mates Programme, 1.35pm

Wednesday 21 March Term 2 Sports Trials, 1.55pm - 3.10pm

Staff Meeting, 3.30pm - 5.00pm

Thursday 22 March Blazer Uniform

Newsletter

Assembly (Year 3 presenting), 2.10pm

Year 4 Technology Project, Grammar and Fairholme, 11.00am - 12.30pm at Grammar (Fairholme visiting)

Friday 23 March Opening Night of Toowoomba Grammar Art Show, 6.00pm - 10.00pm

Saturday 24 March GPS Cricket vs Gregory Terrace. Year 5 away and Year 6 home

Toowoomba Grammar School Art Show, 1.00am - 4.00pm

Sunday 25 March GPS Cricket presentations, Gymnasium, 9.00am - 11.00am TBC

Junior School Contact Details

Office: 07 4687 2555 Email: gjadmin@twgs.qld.edu.au Web: www.twgs.qld.edu.au Fax: 07 4687 2590 After School Care: 0421 570 461 Corfe House: 07 4687 2660 Aquatic Centre Bookings: 07 4687 2631